SAN DIEGO ---- Members of the Chargers front office are either in Indianapolis or will be heading there soon. It's all part of an annual pilgrimage to the NFL combine, a pre-draft event that is equal parts job fair and livestock auction, where athleticism gets broken down into tangible statistics. Draft prospects are poked, prodded, diagnosed and debated after a series of tests designed to measure everything from agility to intelligence.

The NFL combine, which runs from Wednesday-Tuesday, is valuable for more than just grading draftees.

"We discuss players, but many other things are decided there, because all of the agents and all of the teams are there," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said. "You get a lot of people in the same place at the same time, so a lot of things can get done."

Smith will head east on Thursday, and will most likely return on Tuesday with a pair of vital items crossed from his offseason to-do list. Both of them pertain to a Chargers running back and his future with the club.

The Chargers are considering a franchise tag for Darren Sproles, a playoff hero and fan favorite who will be an unrestricted free agent without such a designation. The Chargers must make that decision by Thursday, and will wait until the 11th hour to do so.

"We're discussing it," Smith said. "We had a long meeting about that this morning, and we'll make a decision on (Thursday)."

Smith will also sit down with agent Tom Condon to discuss a renegotiation of LaDainian Tomlinson's contract. That could result in a pay cut, deferred money or both in an attempt to clear salary cap space for the Chargers, a team in need of financial flexibility.

Tomlinson currently counts nearly $8.8 million against the cap, a number the Chargers would like to decrease for an aging back whose durability -- despite rushing for 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns ---- is being questioned for the first time in his Hall of Fame career.

Tomlinson said publically he would be open to a renegotiation, but neither side has gone into specifics about the conditions necessary to make it work. A call to Condon seeking comment on Tuesday was not returned.

Sproles has stated that he'd like to remain with the Chargers but will test the free agent market. A franchise tag would guarantee his return, unless another team matched the Chargers' offer and relinquished two first-round picks. As a franchise player, Sproles would receive a one-year contract for $6.6 million, the average of the top five salaries at his position.

A call placed to Sproles agent, Gary Wichard, was not returned on Tuesday.

The Sproles decision and the potential Tomlinson renegotiation are linchpins for what should be an uncharacteristically active, compelling offseason for the Chargers after they claimed their third straight AFC West title but with a .500 record. After those two tasks are completed over the next seven days, the 2009 Chargers will take shape.

"All of our business will be done," Smith said. "I'll meet with the media on Feb. 26 (to formally discuss the Chargers' plan for the offseason) and everything will be done by then for sure. From the 19th all the way through, several things can take place. There could be a franchise tag on Sproles by the 19th and the L.T. situation could be worked out at the combine. After that, we' ll deal with everything else."

That includes extending contracts, releasing players, signing others and, of course, the ever popular NFL draft on April 18-19.That domino effect starts with a pair of popular running backs, the fates of whom will be decided soon.

If they are even considering it, then we have the dumbest FO in the NFL

Sproles should get around 6-7 guaranteed OVER THE LIFE OF THE DEAL, not 1 year!

I cant believe they would tell LT hes not worth 6mil, and then turn around and give his BACKUP 6+mil, just another sign that this FO is clueless and seem to base every decision on last game they watch that player play (case in point, JYLES TUCKER!)

If they are even considering it, then we have the dumbest FO in the NFL

Sproles should get around 6-7 guaranteed OVER THE LIFE OF THE DEAL, not 1 year!

I cant believe they would tell LT hes not worth 6mil, and then turn around and give his BACKUP 6+mil, just another sign that this FO is clueless and seem to base every decision on last game they watch that player play (case in point, JYLES TUCKER!)

I cant believe they would tell LT hes not worth 6mil, and then turn around and give his BACKUP 6+mil, just another sign that this FO is clueless and seem to base every decision on last game they watch that player play (case in point, JYLES TUCKER!)

The franchise tag can be lifted and replaced with a long term contract = more money in guarantees versus a one year "non exclusive" franchise tender.

Here we go again and shades of Drew Brees.

A.J. can also accept any deal he feels as a trade and not necessarily TWO First round picks which accompany the franchise tag. The "non exclusive" franchise tender leaves wiggle room for wheeling and dealing :yes:

If the Chargers used the "Exclusive" version of the franchise tag that means there will be no trade talks with Sproles whatsoever. None.

The Bolts go to a two back system which Norv will get LT to accept. LT restructures his contract to make less than Sproles yet will have contractural escalators which will make LT feel the love.

The franchise tag can be lifted and replaced with a long term contract = more money in guarantees versus a one year "non exclusive" franchise tender.

Here we go again and shades of Drew Brees.

A.J. can also accept any deal he feels as a trade and not necessarily TWO First round picks which accompany the franchise tag. The "non exclusive" franchise tender leaves wiggle room for wheeling and dealing :yes:

If the Chargers used the "Exclusive" version of the franchise tag that means there will be no trade talks with Sproles whatsoever. None.

The Bolts go to a two back system which Norv will get LT to accept. LT restructures his contract to make less than Sproles yet will have contractural escalators which will make LT feel the love.

So it has been written .... etc etc...

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Well said trumpy. Hope it works out like that.

And if we can find a better good d-end and saftey. And possibly improve the inside linebacker spot and guard spot if goffs leaving. Is goff for sure leaving. He's getting slower but he's still somewhat good. Though I do wish they could find a better one.

The franchise tag can be lifted and replaced with a long term contract = more money in guarantees versus a one year "non exclusive" franchise tender.

Here we go again and shades of Drew Brees.

A.J. can also accept any deal he feels as a trade and not necessarily TWO First round picks which accompany the franchise tag. The "non exclusive" franchise tender leaves wiggle room for wheeling and dealing :yes:

If the Chargers used the "Exclusive" version of the franchise tag that means there will be no trade talks with Sproles whatsoever. None.

The Bolts go to a two back system which Norv will get LT to accept. LT restructures his contract to make less than Sproles yet will have contractural escalators which will make LT feel the love.

So it has been written .... etc etc...

Click to expand...

Did you quit drinking or something? :lol:

Good post, Trumpy. I'm not always a fan of AJ, never buy the GAWD status, but this is a smart move.

I still can't believe they'd give Sproles $6.6 million to return kicks and get 5 touches a game.

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They haven't paid him anything yet. The only thing they did was effectively prevent him from signing from someone else. While there is still a good chance that he will end up signing the one year deal, the goal is to get him locked up in a long term deal. I'm thinking the goal is to sign him at around $4 million a year which I would think that Sproles would consider just as long as the guaranteed money is there. A 5 year deal worth $22 with at least $12 million guaranteed is a winner for both sides.

They haven't paid him anything yet. The only thing they did was effectively prevent him from signing from someone else. While there is still a good chance that he will end up signing the one year deal, the goal is to get him locked up in a long term deal. I'm thinking the goal is to sign him at around $4 million a year which I would think that Sproles would consider just as long as the guaranteed money is there. A 5 year deal worth $22 with at least $12 million guaranteed is a winner for both sides.

And if we can find a better good d-end and saftey. And possibly improve the inside linebacker spot and guard spot if goffs leaving. Is goff for sure leaving. He's getting slower but he's still somewhat good. Though I do wish they could find a better one.

Click to expand...

This is the way I see it playing out.

Sproles will not be signed to a long term contract with the Bolts.

Why ?

For almost the same reason Michael Turner left and that was for greener pastures = $$$. Sproles would be a financial F'n idiot to sign long term with the Bolts because he will make MORE money elsewhere.

....Much more that is if MIghty Mouse tears it up again while bending over the Bolts for a guaranteed $6 million or whatever the F-tag is worth. Sproles signs the franchise tag and tells the Bolts to kiss his F'n asss with their low ball offers and next year say sayonara. That is the way I see it.

Once LT is spent, we will look to the draft for the next LT and not to Sproles for a RB or even for a returner. The draft RB will be much cheaper as well being a rookie low first rounder or lower round pick (ala the Burner). I am interested to see how GOD does without the Nix in this draft. :yes:

I was listening to the talk show on the 1090 this afternoon and some nimrod was saying we kept the wrong RB (letting Turner go to Atlanta and not cutting LT). The Burner would not work in Uncle Norv pass first system. Michael Turner needs a ground first game and that is not Uncle Norv's style. LT would be better suited with Sproles in a two back set versus Turner and Sproles. I don't think the Burner can pass for shiit but then we never let him throw the option either the way we do with LT.

In the meantime, yeah, our lines suck (C, RG, RT, DE and depth). Seems a lot of fans are down on the secondary. I would not do a damn thing to the secondary. Nada. That was Weddles first season calling the shots at FS and he did not do all that bad. The front 7 has been for ****. Get that right and the secondary will set records again for INT's.

Tomlinson should just phone Obama and get on board with his bullchiat stimulus plan because his behavior and stats suck *** for the last two years. He's been acting like a biatch through his agent and Emmitt.

Grow a set LT and let's go win a trophy. Otherwise step aside and let Philip go get us the hardware.

Quit being a bizznatch and Darren has 2000X the heart you have shown since the patriots ***-pounded you and Marty in the playoffs.

get on board or get the fuk out and thanks for A-Rod like regular season victories. It was great.

For almost the same reason Michael Turner left and that was for greener pastures = $$$. Sproles would be a financial F'n idiot to sign long term with the Bolts because he will make MORE money elsewhere.

....Much more that is if MIghty Mouse tears it up again while bending over the Bolts for a guaranteed $6 million or whatever the F-tag is worth. Sproles signs the franchise tag and tells the Bolts to kiss his F'n asss with their low ball offers and next year say sayonara. That is the way I see it.

Once LT is spent, we will look to the draft for the next LT and not to Sproles for a RB or even for a returner. The draft RB will be much cheaper as well being a rookie low first rounder or lower round pick (ala the Burner). I am interested to see how GOD does without the Nix in this draft. :yes:

I was listening to the talk show on the 1090 this afternoon and some nimrod was saying we kept the wrong RB (letting Turner go to Atlanta and not cutting LT). The Burner would not work in Uncle Norv pass first system. Michael Turner needs a ground first game and that is not Uncle Norv's style. LT would be better suited with Sproles in a two back set versus Turner and Sproles. I don't think the Burner can pass for shiit but then we never let him throw the option either the way we do with LT.

In the meantime, yeah, our lines suck (C, RG, RT, DE and depth). Seems a lot of fans are down on the secondary. I would not do a damn thing to the secondary. Nada. That was Weddles first season calling the shots at FS and he did not do all that bad. The front 7 has been for ****. Get that right and the secondary will set records again for INT's.

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Regarding Sproles, it will be to Darren's advantage to get a long-term contract this year. Note the impact of the "non-CAP" year coming up in 2010 as reported today by Adam Schefter: snippet:

With an uncapped year looming for 2010, everyone will be playing under an entirely different set of rules.

One rule creates a situation that makes it appear as if this year's franchised players have taken two steps forward and one back.

Each of these players completed their fourth year last season. But the collective bargaining agreement that eliminates the salary cap in 2010, also says that players do not get to become unrestricted free agents until their sixth season.

Thus, seven unrestricted free agents that were designated franchise players this offseason will revert back to be restricted free agents next offseason.

Each of these players completed their fourth year last season. But the collective bargaining agreement that eliminates the salary cap in 2010, also says that players do not get to become unrestricted free agents until their sixth season.

Thus, seven unrestricted free agents that were designated franchise players this offseason will revert back to be restricted free agents next offseason.

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Another caveat is that the uncapped season is not really uncapped.

There is a CBA rule which will not allow a player to exceed 30% of the previous years salary (this is huge). It is not the feeding frenzy some envisioned for salary increases. This is why the owners are not really too upset that the richer teams can run away paying crazy *** salaries which no one else can match. 30% caps somewhat castrates any team's spending sprees.

Tomlinson should just phone Obama and get on board with his bullchiat stimulus plan because his behavior and stats suck *** for the last two years. He's been acting like a biatch through his agent and Emmitt.

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Really? REALLY??????
His stats sucks over the TWO years??
Over the past 2 years, hes #3 in the NFL in rushing yards, and 1st in rushing TDs!